New Martinsville Police Department Chief Tim Cecil, above, is all smiles as he supports the Gabriel Project’s “Stuff the Cruiser” event on Oct. 26.

The Wetzel County’s Gabriel Project’s Oct. 26 “Stuff the Cruiser” event was a success, according to Linda Barth, of the project.

Barth said the weather was terrible that day, but the community was “great.”

The now-annual event is a children’s items donation drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. New Martinsville Police Department Chief Tim Cecil is always a staple of the event, as individuals stuff his cruiser with items for the Gabriel Project. Barth said, this year, volunteers had to call for a second cruiser, as Cecil’s ended up filled with items. At the end of the event, the Gabriel Project yielded one-and-one-half cruiser full of items, along with $475 in cash.

Barth said Chief Cecil had some help from other officers, as well as New Martinsville Councilman Ryan Yost.

“The Gabriel Project is very grateful,” Barth said of the help and donations.

Bill Barth collects donations for the Gabriel Project on Oct. 26 at the project’s annual Stuff the Cruiser event.

The Gabriel Project is still serving families with children under the age of three with new and gently used items, but they also have recently been giving out information on safety matters – such as safe sleeping, carseat safety, and the dangers of hot cars.

Wetzel County’s Gabriel Project is open every Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 4 p.m. at 515 Maple Avenue, New Martinsville. No one is ever turned away, and no donation is ever resold. People can follow “Gabriel Project – Wetzel Site” on Facebook. Call 304-398-4156 for more information.